You Should Know: The Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands are a South Pacific archipelago east of Papua New Guinea between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea.

Solomon Islands children. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this photo.Solomon Islands Map showing location in the Pacific Ocean relative to Australia

All in all, the Solomon Islands are a collection of nearly one thousand islands and cover a land area of 11,000 sq mi. The country’s capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal.

The island climate is humid throughout the year, with average temperatures around 80 °F and very few extremes of temperature or weather. June through August is the cooler period when temperatures decrease slightly. November through April is the rainy season, though the temperature remains steady. The islands also experience occasional squalls, tsunamis or cyclones.

The Solomon Islands are not a traditional travel destination, but it has a lot to offer a wide array of people, particularly aquatic adventurers. The islands are a world-famous diving destination, with great diving conditions almost throughout the year. Divers would be awed by the biodiversity beneath the waters; a colorful array of hard and soft corals and fish life, as well as WWII plane and shipwrecks. Surfers would be pleased about the uncrowded waters, and steady waves, and lastly, fishermen would greatly appreciate the abundance of mackerel, yellow fin tuna and the Papuan black bass in the pristine waters.

Palm Beach, Solomon Islands. Image credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights to this image.

If it’s a cultural immersion you seek, you’ll find The Solomon Islands to be amazingly rich in culture and tradition.

Solomon Islands Culture. Photo courtesy of investsolomons.gov.sbBritain’s Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, visit Maura where they rode in a traditional canoe in September 2012. (Bauer Griffin)Festival of the Pacific Arts. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this photo.

What most people will recognize The Solomon Islands for, however, is for being the island with black people who have naturally blonde hair.

Photo by photojournalist and author Michael Moran.Smiling and inquisitive children at the opening of a kindergarten in the hinterland village of Barana. Picture: Corporal Janine Fabre Source: Sunday Mail (SA)Solomon Islands girl. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this photo.A genetic study has found that the islanders have a ‘homegrown’ gene that gives them blond hair – and it’s different from the one in Europeans

Though Solomon Islanders have some of the darkest skin outside of Africa, they also have the highest occurrence of blond hair seen in any population outside of Europe. According to researchers, a single mutation is responsible for almost half of the variation in Solomon Islanders’ hair color. This gene mutation seems to have arisen in the Pacific and was not brought in by fair-haired Europeans intermarrying with islanders as was previously believed.

Isn’t nature amazing? I think this is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen!

And just in case you’re wondering, Nene Leakes is not from The Solomon Islands..

Nene Leakes – not a natural blonde, but it looks good on her too

Some random facts about The Solomon Islands..
– There are nearly one thousand islands that form a part of Solomon Islands

– The Solomon Islands is part of Melanesia, a subregion of Oceania which also comprises Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. As thus, Solomon Islanders are Melanesians – a name which originated from describing black Polynesians

– The currency of Solomon Islands is Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD). At the time of this posting, the exchange rate is currently 1 USD to 7.2 SBD

– The official language of Solomon Islands is English. However, Melanesian pidgin and 120 indigenous languages are also spoken there

– Solomon Islands were named after King Solomon by Mendana, the nephew of the Governor of Peru

– The world’s largest salt water lagoon – Marovo Lagoon, is situated in New Georgia, Solomon Islands

– Majority of the people in Solomon Islands are Protestants, followed by Roman Catholics and those who have indigenous beliefs

Young Solomon Islander. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this photo.

How to get there…

I must first advise that The Solomon Islands are not a traditional tourist destination. Hence, do not expect to find resort style accommodations or very developed infrastructure. By all accounts, the Solomon Islands is one of the lesser developed nations in the world. The economy is heavily dependent on forestry and suffers from a lack of economic dynamism. Poor infrastructure and a weak regulatory environment impede expansion and productivity.

Malaria is the biggest health issue on the Islands. Anyone traveling there is advised to get vaccinated and take anti-malarial pills before, during and after their stay.

Despite all this, what a visit to The Solomon Islands will provide you is an authentic experience getting to know the tradition and culture of some of the most beautiful and culturally preserved people in the world.

The International Airport, Henderson International Airport (HIR), is located 7 miles from the capital, Honiara. Flights depart from Brisbane, Australia about three times a week. There are also flights departing from Vanuatu, Fiji and a handful of other South Pacific neighbors. Non-stop flights from Brisbane cost approx. $350 each way. A round trip ticket from LAX to Brisbane on Qantas will cost approx. $1600.

You will need a passport, an onward ticket, and sufficient funds to cover your stay in the Solomon Islands. Citizens of almost every country in the world can get visitor’s visas on arrival.

Most visitors will stay at Heritage Park Hotel, which is one of the only developed hotels on the island.

Solomon Islands Palm Beach. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this photo.

I do not know when I will be able to visit The Solomon Islands, but it is a trip I do look forward to taking at some point in my life!

Are you interested in visiting The Solomon Islands at some point in your life?

Disclaimer: Since I have not yet visited The Solomon Islands at the time of this posting, this post was written through my research and textbook knowledge only and not from in person experiences. This post is for informational purposes only. Please note, experiences may vary.

Stumbled across your blog when I was debating with someone that black people can be born with naturally blond hair. Now after reading about the Solomon Islands, I want to go. Thanks for such detailed info!

LolaJB

Thank you Toya! I’m really glad you enjoyed the entry! Thanks so much for visiting

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